This website is a record of my passionate letters to Mole Valley council and UK Secretary of State for Culture. I encourage everyone to get involved and to write their own letters of support for the museum.

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Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Paul Crysell, a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in the case of Gatwick Aviation Museum versus Mole Valley District Council, has (unfortunately) rejected the museum's appeal.

The decision is based on 'green belt' status. Yet in other cases, the same Mr Crysell appears to have urged for more, not less, commercial development (specifically new house build) on green belt land. The details are not entirely clear from these past cases, some as recent as 2011, but 'green belt' status has not hindered other large scale commercial development in 'green belt' areas, including several presided over recently by Paul Crysell. As evidence, here are sample links:

If I have misunderstood these past cases, I urge Mr Crysell to come forward and put us all straight.

Shall we conclude that the 'green belt issue', in regard to Gatwick Aviation Museum, has been a red herring from the beginning. Are there other (unknown) factors at play in the decisions of Mole Valley Council, and the government inspectorate, in this case?

Now that we are faced with this negative decision which puts the future of the heritage collection at risk, where next for Gatwick Aviation Museum?

The story is sad indeed. The efforts of volunteer citizens, over decades, to preserve the engineering prowess of this nation, are not being heard nor rewarded with recognition.

As we have argued elsewhere in this blog, local council (Mole Valley in this case) should be acting in support of the efforts of volunteers, especially so in this case given its national significance. There is not one instance, to my knowledge, where Mole Valley DC has support the museum, either in voice, moral support, other resources or direct finance. Quite the contrary, the council appear only to have blocked and taken advantage of each and every opportunity to ensure that the museum does not further develop.

Such 'blind spots' to a national treasure appear to be shared with the current conservative government. Our letters to raise the matter to the attention of the Secretary of State for Culture have gone unanswered. Contrast this neglect with the weasel words of the 'Big Society' of David Cameron.

Gatwich Aviation Museum, its activities, collections and restoration efforts and donations to our national heritage are an example of the 'Big Society' at work, yet over years the council have not found it in themselves to support the museum, in words or deeds.

This decision from the planning inspectorate for the final appeal perpetuates the same blind approach of applying rules, over common sense and respect. Such is the state of our nation that such treasures are abandoned.

About the Museum

"Collected, renovated and privately funded over decades by the hard work and labor of love of one gentleman (now elderly) and his team of volunteers, engineers and WWII heros, this Aviation Museum has a unique collection of rare (Cold War) British Aircraft, engines and models from the "golden age" of British aircraft manufacture. The museum is a national treasure and a perfect example of David Cameron's "Big Society". --- Howard Smith

The Dispute

"The museum has been [still is] in dispute with Mole Valley District Council concerning planning permission, as despite its co-location with Gatwick Airport, the council has refused permission for a permanent museum site, citing it as being an inappropriate place for an aircraft museum." -- Wikipedia